SARANSK, Russia — Wahbi Khazri struck a second-half winner as Tunisia secured their first World Cup victory in 40 years by overcoming Panama 2-1 on Thursday.

Yassine Meriah gifted Panama the lead by turning the ball into his own net before Fakhreddine Ben Youssef equalized just after halftime. Khazri completed the turnaround just after the hour mark with his second goal of the tournament.

The North African side’s last victory in football’s flagship event was a 3-1 defeat of Mexico in Argentina in 1978.

The result had no bearing on the final Group G standings as both teams were already eliminated from the competition. Belgium topped the group with nine points after their 1-0 win over England, who finished second with six points. Tunisia go home with three points while Panama were last in the group with three straight losses.

Tunisia looked the better team early here but Naim Sliti and Ben Youssef both spurned chances to put their team ahead.

Panama scored against the run of play just after the half-hour mark when Jose Luis Rodriguez’s long-range shot deflected off Meriah, giving goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi no chance.

Tunisia continued to surge forward in numbers and Panama had captain Roman Torres to thank when he booted clear Khazri’s second effort after his initial attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.

Tunisia equalized six minutes after the restart when Sliti set up Khazri on the right before the Rennes forward pulled the ball back to Ben Youssef, who stabbed a shot into the left corner.

Ben Youssef should have scored again two minutes later but sent a shot straight at Penedo when he had only the goalkeeper to beat.

Panama were under sustained attack and there was a sense of inevitability about the goal that put them behind in the 66th minute.

Oussama Haddadi began the move with a slide-rule pass from the left and Khazri was perfectly positioned at the far post to fire in his 14th international goal. — XINHUA